Geobge robert o neal



Nov. 9 1926.

G. R. ONEAL RocKER Filed July 3' 1925 nih.

Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

GEORG-E ROBERT Oll'lilA'L,A OIF WASI-IENGTON, DISTRICT OF CGLMBA.

ROCKER.

Application 4filed July 3,

This invention relates to a rocker designed primarily for amusementpurposes, one of the objects of the invention being to provide a bodysimulating an animal or anyother suitable object, the said body beingmounted on rockers and having combined therewith a means cooperatingwith the rockers whereby back and forth rocking movement of thestructure will result in an intermittent forward or gliding motion ofthe entire device.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can beguided simply by leaning toward the side to which the structure is to beturned, the continued rocking of the device serving to cause the same totravel toward the right or toward the left, acco" ling to the Wishesof-the rider.

still further object is to provide a structure of this character whichcan be used not only to support and convey a rider during the rockingmotion mentioned but can also be used as a means for pulling a load.

Another object is to provide a rocker of this type which is simple andcompact in construction and does not require the use of springs or otherparts likely to get out of order.

iVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rocker.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a similarview, on a reduced scale, showing how the devicecan be tilted laterally for the purpose of guiding it toward one side.

Figure Ll is a view showing, in diagram,

'some of the positions of the parts during the operation of the rocker.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference l designates theseatportion of the rocker. in the present instance this constitutes asimulation of a horse although it is to be understood that the seatportion 1925. Serial No. 41,342.

an simulate any other kind of animal or can be in the form of a chairor'other object. The legs of the seat, in the present instance simulatethe legs of a horse and have been indicated at 2. These legs are mountedon and suitably connected to rockers 3.

A recess llis formed in the bottom por tion of the seat l. and isprovided with a transverse pivot pin 5. Upwardly diverging invertedyokes or supports 6 are mounted to swing on the pin and these yokes orsupports merge, at their lower ends, into arms 7 which are secured to ashort rocker 8 located equi-distant from the rockers 8. The pin 5 iseccentrically disposed relative to the rocher 8 and the rear portion ofthe rocker is preferably heavier than the front portion so as toconstitute weight as hereinafter explained. Rocker 8 tends to extendbelow the rockers 3 as shown in Figure 1 and when these rockers 8 are incontact with the ground or other supporting surface as shown, forexample, in position A of Figure 4L, the rocker 8 is thrust eitherbackwardlyvv or forwardly from its normal position.

rThe rockers 8 are adapted to rest on the supporting surface and underthese conditionssupp'leinental rocker 8 is swung either baclrwardly orforwardly relative to the pin 5. The user assumes a position on the seatl and` proceeds to rock back and forth. If rocker 8 is back of itsnormal position it w'ill swing forward about its pivot 5 as the rockers3 are rocked forward. rlhis forward movement of the rocker 8 resultsfrom the fact that the pivot 5 is moved forwardly beyond 'the center ofgravity and the thick or weighted end of rocker 8 accelerates theforward swing or rocker 8, its arms and the yokes 6. l/Vhen the rockers8 reach the forward limit of their movement they will start their returnmovement but as rocker 8 remains in firm engagement with the supportingsurface it will tend to receive the weight of the load so that theentire structure will move forward on the forwardly rolling rocker 8until said rocher 8 is lifted out of contact with the supporting surfaceby the rockers 8 on approaching the rear limit of their movement. frsthe rockers 8 now start forward once more the weighted end of rocker 8will cause said rocher to come into contact with the supporting surfaceand again -take up the load so that the device Will be moved forward bythe forward rolt ing action of rocker 8 until rockers 3 again assume theload during the completion of their forward movement. The operation isthen repeated as heretofore explained. To facilitate the rocking of thedevice foot rests 9 can he placed on the front legs 2 or, if desired, asaddle can be arranged on the structure with stirrups so arranged thatthe rider can cause the device to rock hack and forth at will.

ln Figure t Sonie of the positions of the rockers have heen shown duringa portion of the operation of the device. ln position A 'the rochers 3are shown approaching the forward liinit of their n'ioveinent with therocher 8 trailing. In position B the rocker has been shown in a positionassumed ierehy when it A'ravitates forwardly as the rockers E completetheir forward movement. ln poeition C the rocher 8 is shown in aninaiate position assumed thereby during` the backward rocking of theStructure froin position B. YWhen rocher 8 thus takes the load therockers B are Caused to glide forwardly.

lfhen it is desired to guide the device to the left or to the right :itis only necessary for the rider to bend toward the right or toward theleft so that during the period in which the load is being assumed byrocker 8 the device will he caused to tilt as shown in Figure 3. "lhassaid device can be caused to turn toward one side or the other.

"filhile the structure is especially useful for supporting rider, it canalso he used to draw a wagon or the like connected to the Structure, itheingrnecessary of course for a lnent and a portion of each rearward-inove-v nient of the rockers, ysaid ineans including supplementalrocker of greater curvature than the tiret nanied rockers, a structurethereon, and a pivotal Connection for said structure fixed relative tothe first nained rockers, .said connection being disposed fornvardly ofthe center of gravity of the sup'- pleinental rocker and the structurethereon.

2. rlfhe combination with rockers and a neat structure supportedthereby, of nieans pivotaliy connected to the seat portion and suspendedbetween the rockers for impart-ing a forward gliding movement to therockers 'ingl a portion of each forward movement anda portion of eachrearward inovei'nent of the rockers, said ineans including` asupplemental rocker of greater curvature than the iii-st nained rockers,a structure thereon, and a pivotal connection' 1oetween said struetureand the seat portion, said connection hein-,qI disposed forwardly of thecenter' of gravity of the supplemental rocker and the structure thereon.

ln 'testimony that l claiin the foregoing as my own, l have heretoaffixed iny signature.

GEORGE ROBERT ONEAL.

